Morning journal and courier., 1887-04-11
APASTOR RESIGNS.

Rev. MT. Samson of Calvary Baptist
 Church Resigns His PasGOrate-A Sad
 Surpr1se-DesP ReSret-To Take Ef-
 feet April 3Oth-Easter Services
 Beautiful Floral Decorations
 Scores and scores of people turned away from Calvary Baptist church yesterday, both morning and evening, the church being pack ed to overfowing at both services. Beautiful Easter hats and bonnets were numerous The hundreds of outsiders present came to hear the exquisite music, see the beautiful decorations and hear the excellent sermon of the pastor, Rev. Thomas s. Samson, all of which is so significant of this church. The boy choir occupied seats in the gallery oppo- site that of the regular choir. But about the Easter hats again. All the talk on high hats has no influence with women, except to confirm their determination to wear them and to wear still higher ones.
 At the morning service the Easter carol, "If Angels Sung our SaVlour's Birth" solo sung by Miss Gaffney, was rendered so well that everybody was sorry she didn't sing more. Miss Gaffney ranks among the lest of soprano singers, and her well known repu- tation as such, earned by hard work on her part, is no fattery to her. It is well de- served compliment. The regular choir and the boys choir rendered several selections. Rev. MT. Samson gave for the text of his sermon Matthew xviii: G.: "He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" It was sermon short and sweet, commented highly on by all who heard it. He spoke of the resurrec- tion of Christ in glowing terms. "Ths Lord has given me no appetite but what can be appeased. But why don't we all look to the higher appetite, that moral craving, and ac- cept God as our firm friend and counsellor. I can almost hear the apostles saying on this glad Easter morning, Does 1t not behoove us to make the best of this lifeF A miser- able coward and guilty spendthrift is he who does not secure this preparation at once."
 At the close of the sermon Mr. Samson pre- pared the congregation for the reading of two letters. The first one was addressed to the church and congregation. In it he said he was 10th to strike minor chord, but that he had decided to resign, the resignation to take place on the Both of the present month. What surprise and consternationl It all dropped like thunderbolG out of clear and beautiful sky. There was not dry eye amongst the women members of the regular congregation, and the men had all they could do to hold back. Even the many outsiders were completely astonished, and were nearly as much affected as the others. The glad opening of the Easter day had turned to one of sorrow for many one. He was be- loved, respected and held up by everybody A6 has net an enemy in the world. His loss will be most severely felt by the Calvary Baptist church, which church could have nor can have no better pastor or man than MT. Samson His letter was very short, speaking of his pleasant relations with the church for seven years and calling meeting of the church for next Wednesday night to take action on his resignation. The other letter he read was to the church society, setting forth the same facts as in the other one. The church will by no means accept of his resignation unl ss it be his most earnest de sire and wish, and should such be the case it will do it with the dsepest reluctance and with feelings filled with profound sorrow.
 The floral decorations were strikingly handsome In front was set cross of white roses and lilies, with an elegant base of pink, red and other colored roses. Back of the pulpit was 8 harp of azaleas with bird with outstretched wings over it as if flying away with some sprigs of flowers. On both sides of the pulpit were banks of potted plants, with predomination of lilies, from ths hot house of H. P. Hubbard. On the front of the choir gallery was five-pointed star of azaleas. The decorations were gotten into shape by Herbert Augur.
 Mrs. G. F. Blinn rendered the offertory "The Lord is Risen" at this service in most excellent style.
 In the evening the address on tEaster Eggs'' by Prof. W. R. Harper was not made as in the programme, as he was indisposed.